FOURTEEN years after the Corrib gas field was discovered 83 kilometres off the Mayo coastline, An Bord Pleanála last week reopened an oral hearing into Shell E&P Ireland’s planning application for the last section of the controversial high-pressure gas pipeline in Belmullet.

SEPIL want to increase by 600% the suspended solids from the refinery site to the salmonid
watercourses of the Ballinaboy River and to Carrowmore Lake SAC. This despite the fact that
the North Western Fisheries Board 2005 report on Carrowmore Lake stated that:

“Carrowmore Lake has a very high profile as a salmon fishery in the North Western

THE DEPARTMENT of the Environment says it has completed an investigation into survey works by Shell EP Ireland for the Corrib gas pipeline and is “satisfied” that the developer is complying with licensed requirements.

A senior engineer from the department travelled to north Mayo to meet Shell management, following a complaint lodged by community group Pobal Chill Chomáin.

SHELL E&P Ireland made a commitment in 2007 to no longer rely on consents issued in 2002 for an onshore pipeline by the then minister for the marine Frank Fahey, according to two environmentalists.

The claim by Peter Sweetman and Monica Muller, which was challenged by Shell counsel, was made during a heated debate at yesterday morning’s session of the An Bord Pleanála hearing in Belmullet, Co Mayo into the controversial Corrib gas project.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL Protection Agency (EPA) has recommended that a revised emissions licence be awarded to Shell EP Ireland for the Corrib gas terminal.

This will result in most waste chemicals being discharged more than 80km off the Mayo coastline.

Objectors have been given until August 31st to respond to the decision which, if finally approved, will vindicate the stance taken by inshore Erris fishermen on protection of the Broadhaven Bay marine environment.

Search

Upcoming Events

Blast from the Past

Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe’s first contact with a TD came about because he saw Clare Daly TD on ‘Tonight with Vincent Browne’ talking about policing of Corrib Gas protests, writes William Hederman

The repercussions for Garda whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and John Wilson will be familiar to others who have publicly embarrassed An Garda Síochána. They were clearly acting in the public interest, but their revelations brought the force into disrepute, and the two men suffered as a result. Revenge was exacted – not only by colleagues, but also by way of public denunciation by the Garda Commissioner (“disgusting”), the Minister for Justice (“not co-operating”) and by various other parties loyal to the force.

Follow Shell to Sea on ....

Shell To Sea Latest Tweets

Quote of the Week

"The Corrib licence was granted under an older licensing system. No royalties are payable, just corporation tax of 25pc less any allowances that the companies enjoy. That system was completely flawed and yet again we find that there are only marginal returns for taxpayers from new gas finds."